HARRISBURG, Pa. (WENY) -- The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) are urging motorists to celebrate responsibly ahead of the Labor Day holiday.

The agencies are working closely with municipal departments and other safety partners across the commonwealth to participate in the national impaired driving enforcement and education initiative through Monday, September 2.

"Crashes involving DUI are entirely preventable," PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards said. "We are asking motorists to keep themselves, their passengers, and other motorists safe by designating a sober driver and not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs."

During the 2018 Labor Day holiday enforcement period, troopers made 660 DUI arrests and investigated 80 crashes in which alcohol was a factor. According to PennDOT data, in 2018, there were 33 fatalities statewide over the long holiday weekend; 13 of those were alcohol-related and seven were drug-related.

Over this holiday period, the PSP and local law enforcement will conduct checkpoints and roving patrols.

PennDOT also encourages motorists to always plan ahead, either by designating a sober driver or arranging for alternate transportation.